For years, Bernie Madoff lived a lie. As his Ponzi scheme unraveled, the public looked on with disbelief. Shortly after the story was confirmed, attention shifted to Bernie’s wife, Ruth Madoff. Could Ruth really not have known that the man she was married to for almost 50 years was lying to her and everyone they knew? 

David Friehling ’81, Bernard Madoff’s chief auditor, is the first person after Madoff to be charged in connection with the $65 billion Ponzi scheme that fooled 4,800 investors. After surrendering at the federal courthouse in Manhattan on Wednesday morning, Friehling was released on a bail of $2.5 million that afternoon.

Friehling, who is 49 years old, was charged with one count of securities fraud, one count of aiding and abetting investment adviser fraud, and four counts of making false Securities and Exchange Commission filings, according to the Associated Press. If found guilty on all charges, Friehling could face up to 105 years in prison.